Machine for making wire straps



' W. N. LURCOTT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WiRE STRAPS.

APPLICATION mz'o APR. 27, 1920.

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w. m. LURCOTT. MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE STRAPS.

APPLICATION FILED APR 2?, I920.

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MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE STRAPS.

APPLICATION FILED APRv 27, I920 l qgy ggg PatentedSept. 5, 1922.,

3 SHEET SSHEET I.

Arm/may Patented Sept 5, i922,

UN'WED nnate ll EC IVZAGHINE FOR MAKING- WIRE STRAPS.

Application filed April 27, 1920. Serial No. 376,975.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WINFRED NORTON l'JUncoT'r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of ll e ehawken in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey. have invented certain new and useful improvements in Machines for Making ll ire Straps, of which the following is a full, clear, and

, exact description.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section oi the machine, the section being taken as on the line 3--3 inFigure 1; I

Figure 4: is a cross section taken as on the line 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a, detail view showing in longitudinal, horizontal section the feeding mechanism and chuck for coiling the wire upon itself to form. the seal section with which the wire is provided;

Figure 6 is a detail View in section of the cutting mechanism provided for severing the completed strap from the source of supply;

Figure 7 is a detail view showing in plan the chuck for twisting the sealing section, and a fragment of wire shown in conjunction therewith the same having been twisted;

Figure 8 a detail view showing a fragment of the twisting chuck and tube-forming mandrel Figure 9 is detail view ot the retainer for holding the wire while the same is being coiled;

Figure 1G is a detail view showing the retaining members for holding the wire while being bent;

Fi ure 11. its detail Vi w showing tie coiled end, the formation of which is the object of the machine.

Description.

As seen in the drawings, the wire A, which is being treated, is extended through the carrier tube 15. The carrier tube 15 is slidably mounted in a guide tube 16 fixedly held in suitable standards 17, to form a hearing at the further extremity for a revolvable head 18. The carrier tube has fixedly mounted at the end thereof a mandrel 19, about which a portion of the wire A is wound, to form the coils B of the finished product.

It will be noted that the coils B extend around the mandrel l9, and also around that portion of the wire A which during the operation of the machine is juxtaposed to the mandrel 19. To dispose the wire A in the designated relation to the mandrel 19, a perforated plug 20 is mounted in the tube 15, the perforation. formed therein corresponding with the size of the wire A to form a suitable guide and rest therefor, said wire moving freely through the perforation in the said plug.

The wire A and mandrel 19 are likewise held in the plug 21., which is mounted in the tube 16. When the tube 15 is fully retracted the extreme end thereof rests in. the perforation provided therefor in the plug 21, extending very slightly beyond the hook 22. which is permanently mounted on the head 18 to revolve therewith. This an rangement is best seen in Figure l of the drawings.

At the beginning of the operation the tube 15 and mandrel lti are retracted while the wire 10 is fed through the plugs 20 and hi, and through the opening 23, in the cutter bar 24, best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings. When the wire is so disposed the oporation upon said. wire by the machine is inaugurated by clipping the wire where extends through the cutter bar 24:, the

bar havin for this ur ose. a shear blade 25,

which co-operates with the blade 26, rigidly mounted on a guide block 2?, and held there by a screw 28, as shown best in' Figure 6 of the drawings.

The block 2'? centrally ridged to sup port the blade 2%, and to form runways for the forked ends 30 of the bar 24. The bar 24 is reciprocated by the eccentric 31, which is mounted on the driving shaft 32 of the machine. As the bar 24 rocks on the eccentric 31, the block 27 must rock, and to this end it is provided with a rocking bearing in the boss 33.

The shaft 32, which operates the cutter bar 24, also operates the bending horn 34, by which the advanced end of the wire, or the portion thereof adjacent to the severed section, is bent upward over a finger 35 of the steady rest 36.

The parts of the machine are so co-ordinated that on the completion of the severance of the wire by the blades 25 and 26, the horn engages the wire A, and at a point as seen best in Figure 1 of the drawings, close to the finger 37 and the end of the mandrel 19. It is obvious that a slight deflection of the wire at this point causes the free end of the wire to travel through a relatively large are. A relatively slight movement of the horn 34 results in upsetting the free end of the wire to a position approximately perpendicular to the mandrel 19, and the body of the wire as it rests within the tubes 15 and 16. The wire thus deflected is bent sharply around the finger 35, which, as may be seen in Figure 1 of the drawings, at this time extends within the hollow of the hook 22.

By means of suitable gearing the rotary speed of the head 18 and hook 22 mounted .thereon is much greater than the rotary speed of the shaft 32, and the movement of the horn 34. The consequence of this is that the hook 22 in being rotated engages the upstanding section of wire, drawing the same behind the inclined surface 38 of the said hook. The continued rotation of the head 18 and hook 22 bends the upstanding wire over the mandrel 19, the finger 35 restraining the body of the wire to hold the same in its juxtaposed relation to the said mandrel. Thereafter the finger 35 continues as an obstacle to the rotation of the body of the wire, and of the coiled section formed from the originally up-bent portion of the wire, by reason of the continued rotation of the head 18 and hook 22., It is obvious that as the free end of the upstanding section of wire is carried past the horn 34, the rearwardly curved side of the said horn bends the section of wire backward so as to thereafter, in the further operation, avoid en gaging the said' horn.

As intimated, the rotary speed of the shaft 32 and of the heady 18 varies relative to each other. The variation is the result of the transmission of rotary power from the driving shaft 39 to the shafts 40 and 32. As seen best in Figure 3 of the drawings, the shaft 39 has a beveled pinion 41, engaged with a beveled gear wheel 42, fixedly mounted on the shaft 40. The shaft 40 has mounted thereon a small pinion 43, and a relatively large pinion 44. The teeth of the small pinion 43 are meshed with the teeth of the gear wheel 45 on the shaft 32, thereby imparting to the said shaft 32 a relatively slow rotary movement. The teeth of the wheel 44 are meshed with a smaller gear wheel 46, to which is imparted a relatively rapid movement.

As seen best in Figure 5 of the drawings, the head 18 is rigidly mounted on the wheel 46, and is rotated in unison therewith. From the foregoing it will be seen that the rate of rotation of the head 18 is much greater than the rate of rotation of the shaft 32, the horn 34 and the drum 47, on which is mounted the cam flanges 48 and 49.

In practice the shaft 32 makes one complete rotation while the head 18 and hook 22 connected therewith complete as many revolutions as there are coils B formed of the wire A, with suflicient time to spare for the feeding mechanism of the said wire to move the same through the tubes 15 and 16, and the opening 23 for the delivery of the completed strap until the designed length of strap is extended beyond the cutting edges of the blades 25 and 26, which then close upon the wire and sever the completed strap from the body of the wire supply, preparatory to the repetition of the operations above referred to.

During the operation of the hook 22 on the upstanding section of the wire, to form the loops B, of the completed product, the tube 15, mandrel 19 and body of the wire A are moved forward through the plug 21 and the hook 22, with the result that the coils B are spirally setbackward on the body of the wire A.' This movement is imparted to the tube 15 and parts associated therewith by the cam flange 48, and the roller 50, which is pivotally mounted on a plate 51, which, as shown best in Figure 5 of the drawings, is rigidly secured to the tube 15. The plate 51, as seen best in Figure 2 of the drawings, is rigidly secured to the recipro-. eating bar 52, which also carries the brackets 53, wherein is pivotally supported a steady rest 36. The steady rest 36 is normally swung on its pivot 54 to remove the fingers 35 and 37 from the path of the mandrel 19. To this end a spring 55 is provided to press against the heel of the steady rest, to force the said heel inward, and the upper end of the steady rest outward. To dispose the upper end of the steady rest36 in position so that the wire passes between the fingers 35 and 37 in position to be engaged thereby, a cam 56- is mounted on the base plate of the machine in the path. of the heel of the steady rest.

As seen best in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, when; the heel of the steady rest 18 on the cam 56, the upper end of the steady raaaaea rest having the fingers 35 and 37 is disposed so as to place the said fingers in the path of the wire. The steady rest and parts associated therewith remain quiescent in this position while the Wire is severed and deflected upward. This is due to the fact that the cam flange 48 has not moved the plate 51 forward, a level spot in the cam during this period being in contact with the roller 50. As the hook 22 engages the wire, the rise of the cam flange 48 engages the roller and starts the plate 51, bar 52, and parts associated therewith, forward, until the said cam flange passing out of engagement with the roller 50, the plate 51, steady rest 36 and parts associated therewith, remain stationary until the flange -19 engages the roller 50, to retract the same to the initial osition.

It will be noted that while t e hook 22 is winding the coils B about the body of the wire A, and the mandrel associated therewith, atension is imparted to the coiled portion of the wire against the finger 35, and thus restrains the steady rest 36 from becoming disengaged with the coiled portion of the wire, although the heel of the steady rest has passed out of contact with the cam 56. The tension thus imposed upon the finger 37 by the book 22 is ofiering a resistance to the spring 55 greater than the said spring can overcome. When, however, the hook 22, passes out of engagement with the coiled section of the wire, the tension of the coiled section of the wire on the finger 35 is relieved, and the spring 55 is permitted to rockthe steady rest 36 until the heel thereof is pressed against. the recess 57 of the cam plate, in which the cam 56 is formed. The coiled section of the Wire and the wire itselfis then freed to permit the relatively rapid delivery of the strap through the openings 23, where the strap is to be severed from the body of the wire, prior to a repetition of the operation described.

The wire strap is rapidly delivered from the machine after the coiled section or end,

thereof is formed by means of the grooved wheel 58. The groove in the wheel 58 serves asa guide for the wire during the forma-- the said wheel and moved forward at the.

rate of speed of the periphery of the said wheel. Also it will be seen that the wire will be continuing to be advanced by the wheel 58 as long as the pressure wheel 59 holds it in contact. with the groove 60 in said wheel. This expedient is utilized for governing the length of the strap which is to be delivered from this machine.

These straps usually vary in length from five to eight feet. The duration of time during which the spring 61 is permitted to hold the wheel 59 in contact with the wheel 58 is governed by the cam62, and the adjustable plate 63, which is movable thereon. The wheel 59 has a bearing 64 which is eccentric to the shaft 65. The shaft 65 has a stud shaft 66, extended therefrom, at the end of which is a roller 67, that normally tracks on the perimeter of the cam wheel 62, and adjustable plate 63. When the roller 6,7 is riding on the perimeter of the wheel 62 and plate 63, the wheel 59 is raised out of contact with the wheel 58 or of the wire interposed therebetween. When, however, the roller 67 passes to a lower level between the ends of the wheel 62 and the plate 63, the spring 61 which is attached to the extension rod 68 rocks the shaft (55 to cause the wheel 59 to engage the wheel 58. it is during this period that the wire forming the strap being produced by this machine is rapidly advanced for delivery therefrom when severed by the operation of the blades 25 and 26.

Claims.

1. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said-section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adja cent said section.

2. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; and means for advancing said wire and said steady rest durin the coiling of said wire to form a spiracoil thereof.

3. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engag mg said section to turn. the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for enge ing the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adj cent said section; and a mandrel disposed in parallel juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to enlarge the coils and to provide a tubular form therefor when the mandrel is 1 withdrawn.

4. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector forengaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of thewire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; and a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to oo-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire.

5. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from, the deflected section of said wire; and operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison durin the coiling of said upturned section of said wire.

6. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of .approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire; operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison during the coiling said upturned sectioi of said wire; and

means for retracting said mandrel and said steady rest to their initial positions after the completion of the coils.

7. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strandof wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the bod of the wire of approximately ninety egrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire; operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison-during the coiling of said upturned section of said wire;

means for retracting said mandrel and said steady rest to their initial positions after the completion of the coils; and means for rapidly feeding the body of wire after the completion of the coil at the end thereof.

8. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire; operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison during the coiling of said upturned section of said wire; means for retracting said mandrel and said steady rest to their initial p0- sitions after the completion of the coils; and means forrapidly feeding the body of wire after the completion of the coil at the end thereof, said means embodying a rotary driving member arranged to engage said wire at and for a predetermined period.

9. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent} agyratory member for engag j.

ing the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in uxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire; operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison during the coiling of said upturned section of said wire; means for retracting said mandrel and said steady rest to their initial positions after the completion of the coils; means for rapidly 'leei'ling the body of the wire after the completion of the coil at the end thereof; and means for severing the body of wire when a predetermined length thereof has been delivered beyond the point of severance.

10. A machine as characterized comprising feeding means for guiding a strand of wire to provide an unsupported end section of predetermined length; a deflector for engaging said section to turn the same at an angle to the body of the wire of approximately ninety degrees; a steady rest upon which the wire is bent; a gyratory member for engaging the bent section of said wire to coil the same around the body of the wire adjacent said section; means for advancing said wire and said steady rest during the coiling of said wire to form a spiral coil thereof; a mandrel disposed in juxtaposed relation to the body of said wire to co-operate therewith in forming a core for the coils formed from the deflected section of said wire; operatively connected means for advancing said steady rest, mandrel and wire in unison during the coiling of said upturned section of said wire; means for retracting said mandrel and said steady rest to their initial positions after the completion of the coils; means for rapidly feeding the body of wire after the completionof the coil at the end thereof, said means embodying a rotary driving member arranged to engage said wire at and for a predetermined period; and means for arranging the mechanism to feed the wire at a predetermined time and for a predetermined interval relative to the operation of the machine.

11. A machine as characterized comprising a guiding mechanism; a centrally perforated head rotatably mounted on said guiding mechanism; a steady rest reciprocatively mounted with reference to the central perforation in said'head said steady rest being adapted to hold the wire non-rota ti\-'ely when passed through said head; a hook mounted on said head, said hook having a rotary path around said steady rest for engaging wire when bent over said steady rest; and means for bending the end section of said wire.

12. A machine as characterized comprising a guiding mechanism; a centrally perforated head rotatably mounted on said guiding mechanism; a steady rest reciprocatively mounted with reference to the central perforation in said head, said steady rest being adapted to hold the wire non-rotatively when passed through said head; a hook mounted on said head, said hook having a rotary path around said stead rest for engaging wire when bent over said steady rest; and means for bending the end section of said wire, said means embodying a curred shaped horn adapted to sweep into the path of said wire for turning the end thereof upwardly.

13. Amachine as characterized comprising a guide member embodying a mandrel for juxtaposition in parallel relation to the wire guided in said guide member; a steady rest forming a guide for said wire and mandrel; a cutting mechanism for severing said wire at amfixed distance from said guide member; a gyratory arm for engaging said wire to deflect the same over said steady rest; a rotary head embodying a hook for engaging the'wire when deflected; and a driving mechanism for said cutting mechanism, gyratory arm and head, said driving mechanism being timed with reference to the said elements to complete theoperation of the cutting mech-, 

